Beer: Ratings & Reviews

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On tap @ the Oakshire Brewing (Eugene, OR) on 9/3/11. Served in a pint glass. They described this as an “India Red Ale” at the brewery. We’ll list it as a hoppy American Amber here.

Pours a hazed amber, with a thin sudsy head of bright-white foam. This retains with some creamy looking edges and leaves back a moderate cascade of spotty lacing. The aroma smells floral, piney, and a touch herbal on top, which gives way to an underlying ripe and sticky mix of citrus, bread, and caramel. This is nice and flavorful in the nose.

The taste has some strong citrus hop flavors up front that spread resins and spice out into a dry, piney, and lightly peppery finish. The malts hold their own however, with a hefty backbone of sticky caramel malt that then finishes itself with a lightly toasted graininess towards the back. I’m really digging how the caramel sweetness and citrus flavors are working together here. The mouthfeel is medium bodied, with a light prickliness on the tongue before smoothing out considerably and working that entire flavor profile down the throat. I’m not sure on the ABV of this one but it feels like it’s in the 6-7% range.

I’m a big fan of American Amber Ale and this one really hit the spot. There’s just no shortage of fresh and hoppy or sweet and roasty malt character here and the great balance that is present does a good job of keeping both in check. The smooth and accessible body is only the icing on the cake and really helps this go down easy. I’d be drinking this by the growler full if I had regular access to it.